Baltacha lost in the first round of last year's Eastbourne event

Britain's number one Elena Baltacha and number three Anne Keothavong have been awarded wildcards for the Aegon International being held in Eastbourne.

Baltacha, 26, reached the third round of the Australian Open this year while Keothavong, 26, is making a comeback after a serious knee injury.

Suffolk-raised Baltacha said: "I always enjoy the week there - the grass plays very similarly to Wimbledon.

"I'm really looking forward to going into the tournament this year."

The world number 63 added: "I've got a lot of friends down at Eastbourne so I always end up staying the whole week."

Baltacha withdrew from her first round at the Aegon Classic with illness on Wednesday.

Keothavong, currently ranked 155 in the world, sustained her knee injury in July last year and returned to the WTA tour in February.

The tournament, held at Devonshire Park, takes place between June 12 and June 19.

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